I came across this amazing wooden iPhone 4 case that I would love to get my hands on! This wooden iPhone 4 case makes it look like you are taking a photo with an amazing old school camera. Sexy, old and futuristic at the same time!

You can pick up your own for $42.

via – Gajitz

• Journey from the Phone to the iPhone – October 19, 2011
• Steve Jobs’ Last Project Was The iPhone 5 – October 16, 2011
• iPhone 4S Released Not the iPhone 5 – October 4, 2011
• iPhone 5 Available to Buy on October 7 or 15 – September 12, 2011
• Limited Edition Nokia Lumia 800 Dark Night Rises – December 16, 2011

iPhone 4: Retro Yet Futuristic Wooden iPhone Case originally appeared on: Crenk
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Foxconn seem to be pumping out iPhone 5 handsets. Foxconn will be shipping over 30 million iPhone 5 handsets in 2011, thats over 150,000 units per day.

Under terms of Apple’s deal with Foxconn the company will ship 5 million to 6 million iPhone 5 handsets in September, while fourth-quarter shipments will surpass 22 million handsets.

• iPhone 4S Released Not the iPhone 5 – October 4, 2011
• iPhone 5 Available to Buy on October 7 or 15 – September 12, 2011
• Foxconn Investing $12 Billion in Brazil to Manufacture iPads and iPhones – April 15, 2011
• iPhone 5 Rumours: Full List of Possible Features – March 26, 2011
• Apple iPhone 5 to Have Aluminium Case – March 7, 2011

Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 originally appeared on: Crenk
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Larry Page CEO of Google had this to say of the acquisition:

“Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.”

Andy Rubin, Google’s senior vice president of mobile, said in a statement that the Android platform will remain open:

“Our vision for Android is unchanged, and Google remains firmly committed to Android as an open platform and a vibrant open source community. We will continue to work with all of our valued Android partners to develop and distribute innovative Android-powered devices.”

Im very surprised they didnt look at acquiring HTC.

Motorola is a great business and has over $3 billion in the bank. They also have 19,000 employees and produce set top boxes and phone accessories. It will be interesting to see how they can put both businesses together.

• Android Debuts on AT&T with Motorola Backflip – January 13, 2010
• Google Buys Motorola Sketch: Steve Jobs as Darth Vader – August 17, 2011
• Google is Offering $4 Billion Dollars to Buy Twitter? – November 20, 2010
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• [infographic] Google’s Appetite – August 29, 2010

Breaking: Google Acquires Motorola Mobility for $12.5 Billion originally appeared on: Crenk
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Even the richest among us need cell phones, so why not go all out? The Link, the latest entry-level smartphone from Tag Heuer, has a wide spectrum of features, although, some may say, not enough to quite justify its price tag. It runs on Android 2.2, has a 3.5 inch TFT display, and features a five-megapixel camera so you can show off your mansion to the in-laws. The Link is also Stereo Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capable and has a starting memory of 256 megabytes, which is expandable to as much eight gigabytes with the appropriate memory cards. The sturdy little battery allows for up to six hours of talk time per charge, but put the Link on standby and the battery can last you up to two weeks.

Of course, the features aren’t why you would invest nearly seven thousand dollars on this gadget. The Link is made from only the highest quality materials – gold, titanium, a few diamonds, if you like. The best thing about this cutting edge design from Tag Heuer is that, like many of their best-selling watches, the consumer can specify the materials from which he wishes to have his phone made. Besides the above choices, also on the menu are steel, platinum, and silver. Although the phone cannot be made entirely of diamond – diamond just gets such poor signal quality – the manufacturers can throw in a few diamonds to be encrusted into the surface, if you please. Trims are also available in Calfskin leather.

Whether you prefer CDMA or GSM, there will be a Link for you, available for the carrier of your choice. The Link’s screen is made out of high-end Corning’s Gorilla Glass, much like the screen of the iPhone, and this should help your diamond-encrusted jewel box to last a little longer no matter how roughly you handle it. Availability of the Link hasn’t yet been announced, although it will probably not show up in the electronics section of Wal-Mart.

The Link is the second high-end smartphone produced by Tag Heuer. Their first release, the 2008 Meridiist feature phone, was priced at a mere $5,000 and had even less features than the Link. These two from Tag Heuer are actually comparatively quite cheap when it comes to high-priced smartphones. The price cake was taken in 2010 by an eight million dollar iPhone built by Stuart Hughes, a designer from the United Kingdom. It included the obligatory gold-plating and diamond-encrusting – over one hundred karats in total. There have also been quite a few Blackberrys custom made to quite exotic and opulent specifications, for those of us who are both filthy rich and have a mind for the business and organizational end of things.

Saving money and reducing unnecessary expenses is key to financial freedom. If you are trying to achieve your financial goals, you should consider going online to compare quotes at Kanetix.ca to see which insurance companies offer the most affordable rates of insurance for your vehicle. Kanetix is a free quote comparison service where you can find the cheapest Ontario automobile insurance quotes based on your vehicle and driving records.

• Asus Launch Padfone: Tablet Device with Smartphone Built in – May 31, 2011
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• iPhone 4: Retro Yet Futuristic Wooden iPhone Case – November 20, 2011
• Google Galaxy Nexus: Smartphone Comparison – October 19, 2011
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011

Tag Heuer’s Latest Must-Have $6,800 Smartphone originally appeared on: Crenk
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• The Asus Transformer 2: More Than Meets The Eye – November 23, 2011
• Tag Heuer’s Latest Must-Have $6,800 Smartphone – July 15, 2011
• Dell Roadmap for Smartphones and Tablets has been Leaked – February 18, 2011
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• Introducing Streake: 5” Tablet from DELL – May 25, 2010

Asus Launch Padfone: Tablet Device with Smartphone Built in originally appeared on: Crenk
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Mobile handset makers like LG Electronics are moving toward adopting Linux-based MeeGo operating systems after Nokia abandoned it and opened the way for rivals, one of the project’s leaders said. [...]

This week LG Electronics joined a working group to develop a handset version of the software, joining companies like ZTE and China Mobile, Halla said. (Reuters)

MeeGo is really trying to establish themselves in emerging markets, but they are going to have a lot of tough competition with Android. Thus, this LG partnership will be vital for MeeGo’s survival.

• iPhone 4: Retro Yet Futuristic Wooden iPhone Case – November 20, 2011
• Leaked Image of LG Optimus 3D – February 3, 2011
• LG Launching LG Optimus 3D at Mobile World Congress – February 2, 2011
• LG Expo, Mobile Phone that Projects – December 2, 2009
• Vuclip Brings Movies to Your Mobile – October 27, 2008

MeeGo Has a New Lease on Life with LG Partnership originally appeared on: Crenk
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Im a huge fan of screen protectors because they simply keep all the dust, scratches and fingerprints off your brand new mobile phone.

• i Life Solutions: Best In Home Personalised Theatre – February 9, 2012
• iPhone 4: Retro Yet Futuristic Wooden iPhone Case – November 20, 2011
• Example of How Powerful Photoshop Can Be – November 10, 2011
• Animals Trolling People – November 10, 2011
• Journey from the Phone to the iPhone – October 19, 2011

How to Apply Screen Protector on Mobile Phones originally appeared on: Crenk
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AppleInsider reported that the two apps passing approval were GV Mobile + and GV Connect, both of which serve as a Google Voice app. According to the article, earlier in the month, the creator of GV Mobile + stated that he had gotten confirmation that Apple would be approving his app. Furthermore the article states that “the change in policy came after Apple published its App Store Review Guidelines for all to see.” If true, this is indeed a victory…for now.

With the release of apps that function as Google Voice apps, there is no doubt that Google will more than likely resubmit their official Google Voice app. In doing so, there does not seem to be a reason why this app would be rejected seeing how these other two have made it by. No word yet on when Google plans on resubmitting.

Does this change the way you would use your iPhone? With Skype already available and now Google Voice, could this effect the service plans we choose for our iPhones?

• China Launches iPhone 4 – September 20, 2010
• Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line? – August 17, 2010
• iLounge Offers the Buyers Bible For iPads, iPhones, and iPods – May 31, 2010
• Windows 7 Phone Sexes Up the Market – February 18, 2010
• Is the World Ready for Android? – September 17, 2008

Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps originally appeared on: Crenk
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The phone will be retail for approximately $743, for the 16GB model, if purchased at one of Apple’s retail stores and will not require a contract. The second way to secure an iPhone is to purchase it through China Unicom for $874 which includes the device and the deposit for a two year contract. Sound pricey? That won’t deter buyers from rushing to the stores to pick one up if sales of the iPad are any indication.

To coincide with this release Apple is also opening two brand new stores, the Hong Kong Plaza Apple Store in Shanghai and the Xidan Joy City Apple Store in Beijing. These two new additions add to an already aggressive move into the Asian market place. Numbers for sales will come shortly after the release date and should be interesting to see compared to US and other country launch numbers.

• iLounge Offers the Buyers Bible For iPads, iPhones, and iPods – May 31, 2010
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line? – August 17, 2010
• 2 Million iPads in 60 Days, Are You an Owner? – June 1, 2010
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011

China Launches iPhone 4 originally appeared on: Crenk
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After Google acquired AdMob, and Apple acquared Quattro, now known as the iAd platform, RIM is actively seeking a company to add to its arsenal of offerings to make their Blackberry platform seem more appealing to users. Unfortuately, according to AppleInsider, Millenial, the company they are looking at, looks to remain independent, not wanting to be exclusive to RIM and lose out on its offerings to the Apple platform. It’s a tough place to be no doubt, and while RIM may have scoffed at Millenial’s request of 400-500 million as the price of acquisition, they are only looking to cover their costs in possible lost revenue from no longer being able to offer anything to Apple’s products.

At this point, RIM needs a hail mary play to stay in the game it seems. They’ve been unable to match Apple’s extensive growth and Google’s Android phones have taken over as Verizon’s flagship phones, a spot once held by Blackberry. The BlackBerry Storm, Storm2, and the recent debut of the BlackBerry Torch, which reportedly shipped just 150,000 units at launch, all consistent failures in terms of sales. Globally RIM has suffered a slip in market share from 19.1 to 17.8 percent.

It will be interesting to see where things go. I don’t wish RIM to fall off the planet; I’m a firm believer in the spirit of competition and understand that it’s the only way to keep companies innovating. If you’re a Blackberry user, I’d love to hear why you switched or why you stay loyal. Leave a comment below.

• Not All Phones Are “iPhone Killers” – February 15, 2010
• New Blackberry Curve’s 9350 – 9360 – 9370 – August 23, 2011
• RIM Soon to Adopt Other Mobile Platforms Such as iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7 – May 3, 2011
• RIM Launches Blackberry Radio App for Free: Streaming Internet Radio Stations – February 4, 2011
• Blackberry Playbook Production is Producing 200,000 Tablets Per Month at Present – February 1, 2011

RIM Struggles to Compete with Apple & Google originally appeared on: Crenk
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Are you one of those people? Rumors have circulated across various sites that Apple has been courting Verizon as the next network to gain access to the iPhone as early as Quarter 1, 2011. While all signs point to yes, the evidence is not conclusive and thus speculation persists. Considering the dominance that the iPhone has on the cell phone market, it’s safe to assume that the majority not using the iPhone are either Blackberry or Android users, with others following into the minority of other OS platforms.

In market research conducted by Morpace, subscribers on Verizon alone are awaiting the transition of the iPhone onto the Verizon network. Of 1000 people surveyed, 23% said they’d most likely buy it, while a whopping 51% of Verizon subscribers said they were waiting to buy it. This segment of Verizon subscribers could bolster Apple’s numbers heavily when/if the transition takes place as rumored. AppleInsider even predicts that it could put Apple in the lead, far ahead of it’s competitors. The platforms mostly threatened by the iPhone being offered on Verizon would be Blackberry and Android, so it will be interesting to see how this will effect the numbers.

If it happens, Apple could see quite a profitable 1st Quarter. So where do you stand? Are you waiting for the iPhone to be offered on another network or are you happy with your Blackberry, Android, or other phone platform?

• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• China Launches iPhone 4 – September 20, 2010
• iLounge Offers the Buyers Bible For iPads, iPhones, and iPods – May 31, 2010
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011
• iPhone 4 Availability on Verizon Wireless – February 4, 2011

Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line? originally appeared on: Crenk
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It appears as if Sony is now charging headlong into the mobile phone industry by creating a hybrid gaming phone based on the design of the current PSP Go. This would support the rumors that Sony was looking to make a move into the mobile phone market, but perhaps the numbers above have forced their hand a little prematurely.

According to AppleInsider, the phone would be based on Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread) and use “PSP-like” controls instead of the standard QWERTY keyboards. It’s being more specifically described as a combination of the Samsung Captivate and the PSP Go. I’ll let your minds create the product.

Sony would definitely be playing a game of catch up in this space since Apple is already working on creating an iOS4 centralized gaming hub that would contain leader boards, track friends, and build an entire social community around their gamers. Add to that the fact that Apple has been rumored to purchase a Chinese game making company into the mix and there is no doubt that Apple is looking to eat up market share very quickly.

I can see how Sony would be threatened by this considering that the PSP, while nice in style, has not come close to outselling or matching the long time champion of mobile gaming, Nintendo. As for Nintendo, while they are sitting high on the mountain, Apple has proven that they can indeed make a splash in the market. We saw it with mp3 players, we saw it with the iPhone, more recently tablets, and now perhaps a gaming system.

• Windows 7 Phone Sexes Up the Market – February 18, 2010
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• China Launches iPhone 4 – September 20, 2010
• Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line? – August 17, 2010

Sony’s New PSP Phone Threatens Apple? originally appeared on: Crenk
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Currently on their site, I highly recommend the “iPod Bible” which is released every year much to my wallet’s dismay. Don’t let the name fool you. It started out as just covering the world of iPods and accessories, but it extended to include iPhones when they were released, and now more recently includes the iPad. The “Bible” as it were called is more then just a catalog of accessories, it has reviews, news, updates, hints, tips, and tricks, full of information for just about any generation of device you might have.

Their forums are highly active, they are extremely active online via Twitter and Facebook, and I highly recommend you sign up for their RSS, because the new is everything you wanted to know about your devices and more.

• China Launches iPhone 4 – September 20, 2010
• 2 Million iPads in 60 Days, Are You an Owner? – June 1, 2010
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line? – August 17, 2010
• Bing Replacing Google on iPhone 4? – June 1, 2010

iLounge Offers the Buyers Bible For iPads, iPhones, and iPods originally appeared on: Crenk
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There was a day when Windows Smartphone would have been an oxymoron, but today, the mold is broken with this experience and it all lies in the UI. For starters, the interface is focused on dedicated “hubs” of information giving the users an interesting way to group like applications under one roof instead of being overwhelmed with information. The touch movement is fluid, the layout easy to understand, and by nature the device is social. A person’s social activity makes this phone a great pleasure to have as you are able to keep up with their status updates integrated into the UI.

You can take photos, create albums, record videos, access Xbox Live, a store to purchase your application needs, and a productivity store for those of us looking to get a little work out of it while having fun too. The phone currently has no pricing, but it’s sure to wow folks who are not familiar with Microsoft making anything this cool and sleek. I don’t necessarily think it’s an iPhone killer, but we’ll see what happens when it hits the market. Remember, Microsoft still needs to compete with Apple and Google which are the current giants in the sandbox.

• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• Sony’s New PSP Phone Threatens Apple? – August 12, 2010
• Bing Replacing Google on iPhone 4? – June 1, 2010
• Is the World Ready for Android? – September 17, 2008
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011

Windows 7 Phone Sexes Up the Market originally appeared on: Crenk
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The LG Mini understands that, and purposely sets out to fit the niche it was created for, the socially engaged. There are times when we don’t need the “smart” in our phones, we just want it to do a few things well and we’re happy. This is the case with the LG Mini which does not attempt to be a smartphone, nor does it attempt to conquer any other phone out there. The Mini simply serves as an amazing phone that touts a strong social networking presence with Social Network Connect, a Social Network Feed, and a Social Address Book.

Aside from having those strong social functions, the phone offers Wi-fi, GPS, built-in FM radio, microSD storage, and a 5-megapixel camera. The strength is evident, but the obvious selling point is the social functions. If you’re one of those that can look past the face that this isn’t the iPhone, then perhaps this little device might be worth it’s weight in social contacts.

• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• China Launches iPhone 4 – September 20, 2010
• RIM Struggles to Compete with Apple & Google – August 26, 2010
• Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line? – August 17, 2010

Not All Phones Are “iPhone Killers” originally appeared on: Crenk
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The release of the Jawbone Icon ($100) sets the stage for more than just a piece of technology that supposedly makes it easier for you to take your calls. Instead it goes for more than function it goes for form as the Icon looks to be more a piece of jewelry rather than a piece of technology. Coming in various colors and styles, the Bluetooth device looks to break away from the faux pa of wearing headpieces that has become the punchline for many comedians. The Icon sports a Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR functionality, 4.5 hours of talk time with an internal rechargeable battery.

Jawbone Icon merges gadgetry with jewelry functionality.

A nice feature is the Noise Assassin 2.5 noise eliminator which is supposed to keep the noise out and your calls clear. We’ve seen variations of this in the past, but this new updated version presumably is something to behold. Another interesting addition is the MyTalk software platform where users will be able to customize their settings of the Icon thanks to downloadable programs. I’m interested to see how this works, but it does making adjustments to your headset a lot easier.

• iPhone 4: Retro Yet Futuristic Wooden iPhone Case – November 20, 2011
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011
• Breaking: Google Acquires Motorola Mobility for $12.5 Billion – August 15, 2011
• Tag Heuer’s Latest Must-Have $6,800 Smartphone – July 15, 2011
• Asus Launch Padfone: Tablet Device with Smartphone Built in – May 31, 2011

JawBone Icon is Ear Jewelry Fashion Statement originally appeared on: Crenk
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The phone sports a 3.1 touchscreen to interact with offering full tactile response on a screen that is rich and vibrant in color and detail. The screen flips around to work in tandem with a full Qwerty keyboard offering typing ease for those not comfortable with the touch-type option. According to the site the back also functions as a media stand if you were to watch content on your mobile device, basically becoming hands free. The Backflip sports 6 hours of continuous talk time, with a standby time of 13.5 days which makes this a heavy hitter in terms of batter life.

The device will also come accompanied with a 5 mega-pixel camera, GPS, and Bluetooth. Currently there is no pricing on this device, but it is expected to release first quarter of 2010.

Motorola Backflip debuting on the AT&T network.

• Breaking: Google Acquires Motorola Mobility for $12.5 Billion – August 15, 2011
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line? – August 17, 2010
• The Upcoming Sony Ericsson Aspen – February 7, 2010
• Is the World Ready for Android? – September 17, 2008

Android Debuts on AT&T with Motorola Backflip originally appeared on: Crenk
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That’s a question that’s been asked time and time again. For awhile many of us have been saying “this is the year that Palm will close down,” yet year after year, somehow, they stay afloat. Palm is not necessarily the first name you think of when you think if innovation. In the past they’ve been known to put out some quality products, and die hard fans are loyal to them without question, but competition in today’s world has drastically changed. No longer the leader in PDA’s and smartphones, Palm had to drastically change things up when their market share started to slip. They never quite made it back to the top of the mountain, and even their most recent big release, the Palm Pre has fallen into the shadows of obscurity. An iPhone killer it was not.

Nevertheless, Palm has once again appeared at CES and just when you thought they were done, they make announcements that truly raised this geek’s eyebrows. Their new phones, to be released on the Verizon network, will offer capabilities that currently no phone offers. Once again leading the charge in user interface and interactions with the technology, Palm has announced that both their Pre Plus and Pixi Plus will be WebOS-based handsets that will act as mobile  hotspots. Essentially these phones using the Verizon network will act as mobile hotspots allowing connectivity of up to five devices. The concept is very similar to a Verizon product called the MiFi 2200, which offers the same functionality. The idea of using your phone to tether is not new, but the extent of which these two phones allows is.

A couple of other new features will be the ability to record and edit video straight on your phone, as well as upload to your favorite video sites to share with your network. New partnerships with game developers will put games like the Sims 3 and Need for Speed Underground on the systems adding to their library of apps.  The incentives they also announced for developers for most downloaded and most sold apps, both free and pad, opens up the field for developers to create quality content for the platform.

Palm is definitely not going down without a fight. I look at Palm and I’m reminded of a similar scenario in the video game industry when Sega was on it’s last legs. The company didn’t go down without a fight, but ultimately the competition proved too great and the iconic company pulled from the hardware market and remained in the software development industry. Will something similar happen to Palm, is the software it creates good enough to endure when it has to pull away from the hardware market? Only time will tell.

• iPhone 4: Retro Yet Futuristic Wooden iPhone Case – November 20, 2011
• Crenk is Getting Greatly Improved! – October 18, 2011
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011
• Breaking: Google Acquires Motorola Mobility for $12.5 Billion – August 15, 2011
• Tag Heuer’s Latest Must-Have $6,800 Smartphone – July 15, 2011

Underdog, Palm, Showcases Innovation at CES originally appeared on: Crenk
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Now, there is a new silicon case for the iPhone that will eliminate much of the radiation coming from the device without diminishing the signal strength. Scott Estro from Dig Communications, the company who make the ‘Pong iPhone Case’ talked to Crenk.

“The Pong iPhone Case is a sleek silicone skin containing a proprietary technology module that redirects cell phone radiation away from the user’s head. The case reduces the specific absorption rate (SAR, a mobile industry standard of measurement) by 60% and reduces intense ‘hotspot’ cell phone radiation (Electric Field Intensity) by 85%.”

As you can see from the screenshot, it doesn’t look bad at all but at almost $60, it may be priced a little high. But then I suppose you cant put a price on your well-being.

See www.pongresearch.com to get a Pong iPhone Case.

• iPhone 4: Retro Yet Futuristic Wooden iPhone Case – November 20, 2011
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• China Launches iPhone 4 – September 20, 2010
• Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line? – August 17, 2010

iPhone Pong Case That Reduces Radiation originally appeared on: Crenk
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Image via CrunchBase

Users of the iPhone have long been looking for ways to utilize their powerful mobile phone as a portal to access internet from their laptops. Most cell phone by the major providers make it it possible to tap into the phone’s network and access it through the user’s laptop. Unfortunately the iPhone was never given such an ability so it fell to the development community to create their own applications.

It was not long that homebrew applications were created to tether the iPhone to a laptop, but Apple heavy handedly shut down the application and refused to support such an application, more because of the contract with AT&T rather then outright unhappiness of what the application did. Still, when the iPhone was “jail broken” tethering became an option and users were frantically trying to share the information with the masses and get them on board in support of jail breaking the iPhone. Apple turned around and said that no Apple store or mail location would support an iPhone out of service due to a botched jail break attempt. Such attempts would be consider a breach of agreement and null and void any support from Apple.

Until now most non-tech savvy users were unawares of jail breaking an iPhone and simply settled for the inability to link up service with their mobile computers. Until now…

The Announcement

On Thursday Nov. 6th, AT&T Mobility Chief, Ralph de la Vega announced that users of the iPhone 3G would be able to tether their phones to their laptops and use them as modems for internet service. The remarkable service will not be available until 2009, but users were left wondering just how it would be implemented, and how much it was going to cost.

Reports state that AT&T was afraid to offer tethering believing that the major influx of users would bring down the network, and thus frustrate customers from purchasing an iPhone. What they failed to realize is that customers were finding work arounds, and even while Apple was shutting applications like NetShare down for providing modem compatibility, AT&T remained deaf to user’s needs.

Information on Apple’s and AT&T’s tethering option became available six days later with costs of $30/month and a 5GB cap on data usage being the key release information. Already users of iPhone with bloated bills are complaining about the cost saying that applications like NetShare are offering their services free of charge. Why would you pay $30 if you know a tried and true app can provide you the same service for free? That seems to be a question AT&T won’t answer for now, but the real question is if tethering is now legitimate, will NetShare be allowed to offer its alternative on Apple’s App Store?

Still, to AT&T’s benefit, after acquiring Wi-Fi provider Wayport, the network is boasting another 20,000 locations to access the network. Could AT&T become successful in having iPhone users pay the monthly fee for the benefit of tethering. With so many access points now added to the already expansive network, only time will tell.

• iPhone “Epic Fail” in Japan – September 16, 2008
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011
• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• China Launches iPhone 4 – September 20, 2010
• Jobs Answers about iOS 4 Performance on iPhone 3G – August 21, 2010

AT&T Finally Tethers the iPhone originally appeared on: Crenk
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• iPhone 4: Retro Yet Futuristic Wooden iPhone Case – November 20, 2011
• MeeGo Has a New Lease on Life with LG Partnership – April 16, 2011
• 7 Fun iPhone Apps for Animal Lovers – January 3, 2012
• Limited Edition Nokia Lumia 800 Dark Night Rises – December 16, 2011
• IPHDAVAD The All In One HDMI and USB Port for Your iPhone and iPad – November 28, 2011

Vuclip Brings Movies to Your Mobile originally appeared on: Crenk
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Just announced today, the new Android phone is set to release on Monday, October 20th. This much anticipated release is expected to change the face of mobile phones, similar to the expectations prior to the release of the first iPhone.

Expected specs for the phone were released back in August and can been seen on the TechCrunch website here. Currently this full featured phone is set to be released on the T-Mobile network, similar to Apple‘s partnership with AT&T. This exclusivity is sure to give T-Mobile a significant boost to their market share, and their profits will be sitting pretty too if this phone delivers all that is expected.

iPhone users are might be sitting pretty right now, but soon Android might be the next “in” phone to have. Is Apple worried? Only time will tell once this phone hits the market. Already tech pundits and gadget fans are preparing their long stay on the streets over that weekend. I’m interested to see just how much more powerful this Android phone will be, with the support of Google, there’s no telling!

• Apple Approves Google Voice iPhone Apps – September 20, 2010
• Android vs iPhone [Humor] – May 4, 2010
• Windows 7 Phone Sexes Up the Market – February 18, 2010
• Apple iPhone Outsells Android, King of Mobile Phones? – January 22, 2009
• Foxconn Producing Over 30 million iPhone 5 Handsets in 2011 – September 9, 2011

Is the World Ready for Android? originally appeared on: Crenk
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So what does Apple and Steve Jobs plan to provide for their customers in the Land of the Rising Sun? Well…nothing. While units were expected to hit sales of 1 million units, when all is said and done they will be lucky to have sold 500,000. Not good. Apple’s offerings with the iPhone just don’t compete with the already existing high end phones that are available to both the consumer and professional market.

Released just over three months ago, the iPhone which saw explosive sales the first few weeks of release has taken a drastic nosedive. Selling out immediately on July 11th, with lines of people ready to purchase is the complete opposite of the sites now, where sellers stock their windows with iPhones, promoting specials, and looking for ways to move the inventory with little to no luck.

Since Apple could not wow them with their song and dance, what will it take for Apple to break into the Japanese market? We saw similar experiences when Microsoft released the first iteration of the X-box, which impressive sales at first, but then falling off the charts. Steve and Co. might need to go back to the drawing board for our eastern friends and think of a plan to counter an already established market.

• Jobs Answers about iOS 4 Performance on iPhone 3G – August 21, 2010
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iPhone “Epic Fail” in Japan originally appeared on: Crenk
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